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Microscopic artificial swimmers

Author

Listed:
  • Rémi Dreyfus

    (UMR CNRS 7612 UPMC, ParisTech)

  • Jean Baudry

    (UMR CNRS 7612 UPMC, ParisTech)

  • Marcus L. Roper

    (Harvard University)

  • Marc Fermigier

    (Laboratoire Physique et Mécanique des Milieux Hétérogènes, ESPCI, UMR CNRS 7636, ParisTech)

  • Howard A. Stone

    (Harvard University)

  • Jérôme Bibette

    (UMR CNRS 7612 UPMC, ParisTech)

Abstract

In the swim Attempts to create microscopic artificial devices to emulate the swimming of bacteria and other cells have met with little success. Until now. The artificial swimmers that have achieved this feat are spermatozoa-like in appearance, but unlike spermatozoa move in the direction of their tail rather than head. Each swimmer is composed of a red blood cell attached to a DNA-linked chain of colloidal magnetic particles that acts as a magnetically driven ‘flagellum’. With this device it is possible to work out the optimal conditions for nanoscale swimming. It might even be useful for the precise positioning of tiny objects or for manipulating minute quantities of fluids.

Suggested Citation

  • Rémi Dreyfus & Jean Baudry & Marcus L. Roper & Marc Fermigier & Howard A. Stone & Jérôme Bibette, 2005. "Microscopic artificial swimmers," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7060), pages 862-865, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:437:y:2005:i:7060:d:10.1038_nature04090
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04090
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